Lancashire Cricket Board: Whalley Range CC Scoop Two Awards
Whalley Range CC Scoop Two Awards
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Dipesh Asher on 09/10/2012 14:44:00
Both the old and new guard at Whalley Range CC were celebrated at the
prestigious Manchester Sports Award, held at Wythenshawe Forum on Friday 5
October.
Club stalwart Paul Davies was Runner-Up in the Unsung Hero of Sport category,
and 13-year-old Osman Butt was placed 3rd in the Sports Achiever U14s category.
The glitzy evening was hosted by athlete Kathryn Merry, and featured numerous
local Olympians and Paralympians as well as Manchester City’s first
Premiership Cup, amongst many others won in the last year by clubs and teams
from the Manchester City Council area.
“Paul Davies has been a member for nearly 40 years, skippered the 1st XI for
15 years, has been a club coach, cricket section treasurer, has tended the
square, raised tens of thousands of pounds for the club and spent this summer
baling water off the outfield every other weekend! It is simple: Whalley Range
CC would not exist without Paul Davies,” cricket chairman Mike Hill said.
“Osman Butt joined us when he was 9 and we knew he had great potential. He was
selected for Lancashire U12s as a bowler, but this year he blossomed as batsman
and rattled up a spectacular 141no for Manchester U13s v Trafford and went on to
score heavily for Lancashire U13s,” Mike added. “He has the ability and
focus to go all the way in cricket.”
Whalley Range CC is a community club, run entirely by volunteers and draws its
players from across south Manchester. Its state-of-the-art permanent outdoor
nets complex was installed last winter – with funding from Manchester City
Council, the England & Wales Cricket Trust and Manchester Airport Community Fund
as well as contributions from members. The club is now seeking funding to
redevelop its changing rooms.
“Our success in cricket – and in tennis and softball – has brought us a
record membership and we need to develop our facilities fit for the 21st
century,” said Club Chairman Dave Rushforth. “We do everything on a
shoestring and seek funding from anywhere and everywhere. Paul and Osman are
just two of our many members who in their own way help drive the club
forward.”
For more information about Whalley Range CC contact Mike Hill on 07894 961530.
Other awards in cricket on the night were Sheraz Chohan, Lancashire Lions -
Visually Impaired Cricket, awarded third in Disabled Achiever category and
Wythenshawe CC were runners up in the Club of the Year category.
The LCB would like to congratulate all nominees and winners at the Manchester
Sports Awards.